Microwave oven with induction steam generating apparatus

A steam generating apparatus comprising:

• a heating chamber;
• an exciting coil disposed in the heating chamber, said exciting coil, when electrically energized by application of an electric power thereto, producing a magnetic field;
• a porous heating element for emitting heat as a function of change in the magnetic field produced by the exciting coil;
• a fluid supply means for supplying a fluid medium in a dropwise fashion onto the porous heating element within the heating chamber;
• a blower means for supplying a draft of air into the heating chamber;
• and
• a control means for controlling supply of the electric power to the exciting coil and the blower means.

A microwave heating apparatus comprising:

• an oven defining structure for accommodating an article to be heated;
• a microwave heating means for heating the article within the oven defining structure;
• a steam generating apparatus which includes:
• a heating chamber;
• an exciting coil disposed in the heating chamber;
• said exciting coil, when electrically energized by application of an electric power thereto, producing a magnetic field;
• a porous heating element for emitting heat as a function of change in the magnetic field produced by the exciting coil;
• and
• a liquid supply means for supplying a liquid medium to the heating chamber from above the heating element in a dropwise fashion to allow the liquid medium to be heated in contact with the heating element;
• an oven heating means for increasing the temperature inside the oven defining structure;
• and
• a control means for controlling the microwave heating means and the steam generating means and the oven heating means to adjust a condition inside the oven defining structure whereby the article within the oven defining structure is heated by induction heating and a high temperature of the steam introduced into the oven defining structure.